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Retreat into the darkness — let go and surrender to win

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You might have heard about this upcoming Solar Eclipse.

I did, and I didn’t pay attention.

Now I want to watch it and can’t find any glasses to protect my eyes! Another opportunity to surrender.

Things rarely unfold like my imagination would like them to unfold. Does this happen to you too, or is just me? Deciding the Thursday before that I’d like to watch what I can of the eclipse, and then finding out that Amazon didn’t save a pair of NASA-approved glasses for me — one more example of what “surrender to win” is about.

I could choose to get upset about this, or I could let go and move on.

“All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night….The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul.” — Victor Hugo

I finally started looking for eclipse-watching glasses today.

Of course there are none available! Such a surprise. [Read more…]

Sacred pause — summer solstice

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The Solstice happened last night. The Wheel has turned.

Solstice means “sun standing still,” they say. To me it’s a sacred pause.

A sacred pause that is a reminder and teacher. A sacred pause in which to listen, and to receive. 

You may receive a question. Or a message. Or something that is beyond words.

For me this Solstice feels like a culmination moment. I’ve been unfolding like a flower for the last couple of months (since the move). I’m doing things I was reluctant or afraid to do before, and reaching deep down inside myself for the willingness to keep going deeper.  [Read more…]

The journey Home.

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I thought my journey Home would be over by now.

I thought I had found Home. Twice!

I thought that by now I’d be telling you that I found my place, and that my move is tidily arranged, and that I have it done, on time.
I thought so twice. But no, not yet, I’m still on the journey. Oy. I am tired. And I worked so hard.

[Read more…]

Doors close. Doors open. And yes, it can be hell in the hallway.

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Hell in the hallway.

You know that saying? The one that says:When one door closes, another one opens. But it can feel like hell in the hallway.

Yes that one.

I’ve been in what feels like a dark, chilled, unfriendly hallway for the last ten — no, eleven — days now. And it’s been awful.

My housemate gave notice on the 13th, and I’m on a clock to find a new place.

Hell in the hallway is a true description, but I’ve done enough work on myself to realize that much (all?) of the hell is of my own making.

You see, I have a lot of thoughts that are loud in my head and that keep me stuck in my familiar state of negativity. Sound familiar?

I am much more skilled at retaining the fear and negativity, and hanging out in them, than I am in embracing and wrapping myself in the good and juicy possibilities that arise.

  • I tried to negotiate with my current landlord, got myself informed of my rights, and spent a ton of energy trying to get things to go the way I thought they should.
  • Once I realized I couldn’t stay here — after receiving the certified letter announcing the 25+% rent increase — I began to look at places, and I can describe in detail the horrible, awful, creepy places that cost more to rent per month than I pay now by 25% or more.
  • My financial realities made me realize that spending a ton more on a new place in which I can live, work, and thrive makes zero sense.

I got really scared. And the fear’s invitation was irresistible. I couldn’t resist it. To the point that I was ignoring the sweet, clean, and clear possibilities that came my way.

These are the three most important tools that helped me let go of the fear and return to a place that has some ease in it.

  • Self-compassion. I have this mental image I use of putting my arm around myself in a loving compassionate way (like I would with my daughter, or a cherished friend), and saying something soothing and full of empathy. I often will cup my cheek with my hand with the most loving touch I’ve got and send that love to myself.
  • Rest and restorative practices. Get enough sleep. Eat (for the first time in my life, I am not eating enough). Meditate even if scattered. Journal even if it feels yucky. Walk and practice tai chi even if preoccupied. Play my favorite music and sing loudly and dance around.
  • Remember that my fear is a thought, and that thoughts aren’t real, and that this thought too shall pass, just like they all do. The concept of innate resilience is saving my ass once again. (See Molly’s quote below).

Moment by moment, we live in the feeling of our thinking, not our circumstances. Our resilience, wellbeing, and creativity are innate, not circumstantial. It doesn’t always feel this way; we all get caught up in the illusion of our thinking from time to time. But the more you cultivate your awareness of your fundamental, innate okayness, the more you will come to see through the ups and downs of your thought-generated experience. — Molly Gordon

This transition has brought me to my best coaching work ever.

My level of compassion is up; and the look on the face of my clients’ tells me that it’s just what is needed as they walk through the hallways they’re in right now. I have room for one or two more even now as I begin to dismantle, pack, and move. Check it out: Book a no-strings call and let’s see what’s meant to be.

Hope to see you on tomorrow’s Moon Circles call.

Once you sign up, you get membership in a secret Facebook group where you can join the conversation, get support, listen and be heard.

What’s your go-to practice when your dealing with those top-ten transitions? When you’re feeling like it’s hell in the hallway? Please let me know; leave a comment.

Return to love — new beginnings at the New Moon

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I marched with my daughter and tens of thousands of other women and men this weekend.

I appreciated the shit out of the witty, fierce, snarky signs and slogans I saw everywhere I looked.

I even posted a few of the most amazing and sassy photos on Facebook.

But after only 24 hours, I stopped posting those pix. I stopped talking about them. I heeded the call to return to love instead. That’s why instead of me including some of the march pix here I’m sharing other images with you today. Read on to find out what they’re about.

As a Priestess who means business, I remember my purpose and my commitment. Every thought, word, and action is the most effective when it comes from love. And when I find that I’ve drifted off into negativity and in-your-face divisiveness, I return to love, return to love, return to love.
[Read more…]

Joy in the journey, even when you can’t see the path, or know the outcome

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How do you own the joy in the journey when you can’t see the path?

Change happens, and sometimes we don’t know where we’ll end up. Sometimes we can’t even see the path!

The joy in the journey

When the steps you take, the decisions you make, and the outcomes are unclear, how do you stay grounded, how do you wrap yourself in ease, and how do you claim and own the joy in the journey?

There has been a lot of “even if” and “no matter what” in my teaching and writing these days. Because of course.

I’m in a transition. Change is happening — unexpected and unrequested. Big change. I have to move my home and office and I don’t know where I’ll end up or how I’ll get there.

I’ve been moving through the stages of change and it hasn’t been pretty. I’ve been significantly less than graceful. I admit it. Resistance. Anger. Sadness. Self-pity. Seeing this change as a heavy burden. When I began to take action, I did so with conditions. “It should be this way.” “It should look like this.”

It has taken some time (and I’m not fully cooked, this is a process!) to even consider embracing this change, and accepting the mystery of this journey with an open and joyful heart.

I’ve changed my relationship to this journey.

Here’s where I am today:

  • I trust that the right and perfect outcome is already written and my job is simply to keep putting one foot in front of the other with a positive attitude.
  • I am standing sovereign in the mystery.
  • In my spiritual practices, I ask for and receive compassionate and loving reminders that I’m not doing this alone — I am wrapped in the safety and love of the Divine.
  • I intentionally set aside time each week to joyfully do the tasks that move me forward in the direction of my next wonderful place to live and work. I choose the tasks and conversations that light me up; I don’t have to follow every lead!
  • I stay balanced and maintain — and even improve! — wellbeing as I go.

How do you handle changes in your business, your life, your livelihood?

Did I leave anything out? Are there any practices that have served you well in times of change? Please share in the comments!

Mercury retrograde is over, and the Gemini New Moon breathes freshness and change.

New Moon in Gemini

Tuesday, June 16th
25º07′ Gemini
7:05 am Pacific
10:05 am Eastern

This New Moon supports change and forward movement (phew!)

It can feel like the Gemini twins are pulling you in more than one direction. Here’s the good news: that same energy allows you to expand and consider different options — options that may seem baffling, even contradictory on the surface.

For me this manifests as being able to pursue these options (and these are just the ones I know about already!):

  • Finding another place here in this area on my own
  • Find a terrific share situation with a housemate
  • Research moving out of the area to a place that may be even better for me than my beloved Bay Area — Hawaii is the top contender so far.

Suggestions for your New Moon ritual and intention setting

Ask yourself:

  • What do I believe about change? How can I shift those beliefs so that I can embrace change with joy?
  • Am I open to receiving and acting upon unexpected and even unrequested input, changes, and invitations?
  • What is my relationship to change in my business, my life, and my livelihood? What stands in the way of standing sovereign and trusting the process, even when I can’t see the path or the outcome?

How will you intentionally shift away from what’s holding you back and begin to feel the joy in the journey, yes, even if….? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Embracing the mystery

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First, some beauty

I just got back from a week on Kaua’i.

After the first couple of disoriented days there, I finally really landed. Moved from wondering how to be on Kaua’i to being on Kaua’i. I was finally present, with my feet on the ground, feeling my grateful full heart. I basked in the sunshine and the rain and enjoyed putting over 500 miles on my rental car (how did this happen on such a small island?) and getting to snorkel three times on three gorgeous beaches. So much aloha.

Cliffs at Spouting Horn

I took a walk along the cliffs at Spouting Horn.

Heiau at Prince Kuhio Park, Kaua'i

Above is the heiau (ancient temple) at Prince Kuhio Park.

Sunset Kilauea Avenue

I was driving to see the Kilauea Lighthouse and drove past a dozen or so cars and thirty or so people watching the sunset. I stopped and joined them. Because of course. The lighthouse could wait.

Ganesh, Hindu Monastery, Kaua'i

Here’s Ganesh guarding the entrance to the Hindu Monastery.

Na Pali Coast from Ke'e Beach

The Na Pali coast from Ke’e Beach. One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

Now, let’s look at embracing the mystery.

You like to think you know what’s going to happen. You like to think you can control the outcome.

Of course you do, it’s human to want to know.

But you can’t know. You can’t control outcomes. All you can do is show up, and put one foot in front of the other in the direction of your goals, your visions, your highest good.

I’ve been Counting the Omer this year, for the first time (I had never even heard of it before, which makes sense, since I’ve never paid attention to Judaism until this year). Counting the Omer is a 49-day spiritual practice that begins on the second night of Passover. There’s a theme for each of the 49 days based on the Kabbala. Each day I receive an email with the day’s lesson and meditation suggestion. The teachings have been just what I needed: The content has been all about embracing the mystery, about stopping and connecting to what is in and around me, and sinking into gratitude.

Embracing the mystery: just what I need — facing having to move from my home and not by my choice. A powerful reminder that when changes have happened in my life — and they just keep happening! — I have survived and thrived all the way through (even if I couldn’t always see it at the time). I have been told many times that I probably haven’t been brought this far to be dropped on my head now. When things get scary, and challenging, and fear beckons me, I forget these truths. It’s good to be reminded!

Embracing the mystery requires a whole lot of letting go. Scary, yes. Liberating even more. How can I help support you as you move through your own mysteries?

Mercury retrograde is coming. And the Taurus New Moon.

New Moon in Taurus

Sunday, May 17th
26º56′ Taurus
9:13 pm Pacific
12:13 am Eastern (5/18)

Mercury retrograde in Gemini

Monday, May 18th
through
Thursday, June 11th

Mercury rules Gemini; rules communication, research, and learning

  • I’m looking forward to it. The Merc Rx window is a perfect time for me to be looking for my new home and office. A perfect time to be finding out my rights in this situation where my landlady wants to sell this place I rent.
  • I’m prepared. I will sign no agreements about leaving this place until this retrograde is well and truly over. My landlady wants to sign a contract by June 15th. Since Mercury won’t be out of shadow until June 27th, I’m going to propose we sign on July 15th (then I can compromise on June 30th if necessary).
  • One more aspect of the mystery: What if I find a perfect place during the retrograde? It’ll have to be extremely perfect for me to sign a lease before June 11th, but I’m open.

The New Moon reminds me to stop and smell the roses, wiggle my toes in the dirt, stare at the ocean, lean on a redwood (and daydream of Kaua’i).

The fiery get-going energy of Aries mellows and melts into sensual, divinely feminine Taurus. This New Moon invites us into the moment, into the here and the now. It reminds us also to take care of business, to check and double-check finances, to think twice and then one more time about expenses and commitments. Goes perfectly with the energy of the Mercury retrograde.

Suggestions for the New Moon and the Mercury retrograde

  • Review your financial strategies in your business — what needs to happen next?
  • Experiment with ways to increase pleasure and joy in your life — have you laughed yet today?
  • Embrace personal sustainability — honor Mother Earth as you fulfill your sacred mission in your work.
  • Practice exquisite self-care — use that Taurus energy to turn your love into better health, improved strength and flexibility.
  • Feed and nurture your relationships — with your clients, your loved ones, your friends.

How are you embracing the mystery? What’s up for you as we enter this next Merc Rx? I’d love to hear from you. Join the conversation, leave a comment. Blessed be!

New Moon in Aries — set off on your journey, expect a miracle

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First things first, I’m out of the hospital

No I didn’t know I was going in either!

Seems like ruptured, walled-off appendicitis can recur. Mine just did. I’m out of danger, taking the same really horrible drugs as 11 months ago, working lovingly and compassionately on my attitude, and doing everything I can to support my body, my tender heart, my emotions, and my balance, as I go through this. Thanks for all the love and patience.
Uzume — dancing lightly on the path of your highest good.

New Moon in Aries

Saturday, April 18th
28º25′ Aries
11:57 am Pacific
2:57 pm Eastern

Here’s my New Moon love note for you!

Many call the Spring Equinox, when the Sun rises above the Equator, as the beginning of the astrological year.

The Aries New Moon that follows the Equinox is when you may feel that you have fully landed in all this season’s newness, coinciding with the ground being softened enough and warmed enough for you to be planting the first seeds of the year. Seeds in your garden, seeds in your body, seeds in your relationships, and seeds in your business.

I always consider this Aries New Moon as the last reset point of our goals and intentions for the year, the last “New Year” point. You’ve now spent a full six months looking at and experiencing different phases of “New Year” energy. (Seasonal aspects of the list that follows describe the shifts and changes in the Northern hemisphere; I always love hearing from my Australian and New Zealand readers with your take on these.)

  • At the Fall Equinox in September (when Jewish people mark their New Year) you looked at what you reaped and harvested. You gave thanks for the harvest, and planned what to put aside for the following year’s seeding and growing seasons.
  • At the end of October you are at Samhain and Day of the Dead, when the veils between the worlds thin, when you can have access to the threads that bind you to those who have gone before, your ancestors and foremothers. This is the last harvest of the year, the end of the growing season and the start of the darkness that holds the seeds for what is to grow next, keeping the seeds safe, and warm, and fertile through the dark, internal, quiet and building time.
  • Newgrange — where the Winter Solstice Sun lights up an underground passageThe Solstice in December marks the return of the light. As the days begin to lengthen, you can mark the year new again. Even though the returning light can’t yet be seen, our ancestors built observatories and temples where the Solstice Sun lines up just so and illuminates hidden recesses — the signs that reminded us, year after year, that the light will return, the ground will warm, lambs would be born, and food would grow. Have you been to Newgrange? It’s such a powerful place! And of course, our western culture has planted its New Year flag on January 1st.
  • Then there’s the Lunar New Year just between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. There are Asian Lunar New Year festivals, The Irish celebrate the Goddess Brigit at the beginning of February — She represents the light half of the year. It’s also Groundhog Day, a trickled-down interpretation of this ancient New Year celebration, which symbolized the softening of the earth, the lambing and eweing, and the coming time to plant.
  • Which brings you to this first New Moon after the Spring Equinox. Are you ready to act on the energies that have been building up in you in the cold and dark months? Are you ready to plant your first seeds? Are you ready to leap, like The Fool, into your next adventure? To dance lightly on the path of your highest good? Eyes up, heart out, hands lightly grasping your bag of tools and tricks, your vision, your dedication, your commitment, and your passion?

Expect a miracle sister, a miracle and a half!

Let me know how you feel this week’s go-go New Moon. Where are you in your journey? Are you turning a corner? Are your steps lightening?

Feel free to send a little extra love and a virtual hug. I’m on Flagyl again, yo, can already taste that lovely metallic taste. Glad I’m not alone. Drop in to the comments, let’s connect.

Conscious CollaborationBefore I go….

Are you a woman with heart and soul — a healer, a change maker, a business owner?

Join the brand-new Conscious Collaboration Facebook group! You’ll get support to grow your reach, connect with your ideal clients, and thrive in your business. It’s right here, and it’s free.

The Uzume card comes from the Mythical Goddess Tarot deck, which I own and use, by Katherine Skaggs.